Michigan

Grand Valley State President Thomas Haas, left, presents a framed poster to the widow of former GVSU star Cullen Finnerty at halftime of the game against Truman State on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013. Jennifer Finnerty, center, along with her two children, and Cullen's parents, Tim and Maureen, family members and former teammates were on hand for the ceremony. Cullen Finnerty died in May.
(Rex Larsen | MLive.com)

Finnerty, the former Lakers quarterback who died in May, was honored at halftime Saturday, and a crowd of 10,696 responded just like they did when he led the team to three national titles in four seasons.

About 100 members of Finnerty’s family and friends were on hand as Grand Valley State President Thomas Haas and Athletic Director Tim Selgo presented the family with two large framed photos of Finnerty during his playing days. There also was a minute-long video played on the scoreboard with highlights from his career.

“Being here is tough because it’s his house, and there were so many great things that happened here,” said his brother, Tim. “Seeing him walking out of that locker room after the game. It’s something that we know we have to go through. We’d rather go through it than to shield it and block it out.”

“It’s really difficult to be here,” said his mother, Maureen Finnerty. “There is so much love here from everyone, but it’s so difficult to be here.”

Most of the group on the field wore T-shirts with a giant “C” in the shape of a Superman logo. They were designed by his brother.

“Cullen was always our Superman, the guy that we looked up to all the time and so I wanted to make these shirts up,” he said.

After the group left the field, they gathered along the concourse, hugged and shared memories with members of the 2003 national championship team who were also honored. That team featured Finnerty as quarterback.

“This was the toughest halftime presentation I’ve ever done,” Selgo said. “I knew it would be hard. I think all of us – our hearts are broken for his wife Jen, for Mr. and Mrs. Finnerty, his brothers and all of their family. We just wanted to show them we support them and love them, and I’m really happy with the way it turned out.”